The arch stands in the centre of the worlds busiest traffic roundabout which no insurance company will touch. Napoleon commissioned it in 1806 to commemorate his, albeit brief, victories in battle. Possibly suffering from a touch of Emperor-envy for the arches in Rome he wanted this built to be just as impressive. Completed in 1836 it stands 49m high with a spectacular 360 degree view of the 12 roads feeding into it and out over Paris. The surfaces are engraved with the names of the generals and the battles. There is a relief panel depicting the departing of the volunteers by Francis Rude, as Napoleon marched his armies through the arch and down the Champs Elysee on his way to take over Europe. Below the centre of the arch is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the eternal flame which is lit every evening at 6.30pm in remembrance of the 1,500,000 who were killed in WWI . The viewing platform is open every day until 10.30pm winter, 11pm summer. Museum room tours available.